You finish the first round of a little crochet bear, tug the yarn tail, and the center still looks like a pinhole. Before adding another stitch, check how the ring was made and where the tail is sitting. A magic ring is meant to slide closed, but a snagged strand or an overly tight start can get in its way.
Make a movable loop
Wrap the yarn around your fingers to form a loop, then bring the working yarn across the tail. Slide your hook under the first strand, catch the working yarn, and pull up a loop; chain once to secure it. The chain holds the loop in place, but it is not usually counted as a stitch in the first round.
Work the pattern’s first-round stitches into the ring, keeping the tail free rather than crocheting over it. If the ring feels stiff, loosen your grip enough for the loop to move around the hook. A smooth, movable loop is easier to close than one cinched tight before you begin.
Close after the stitches
Once the first round is complete, hold the stitches gently and pull the yarn tail. The ring should gather beneath them, drawing the center closed without distorting the stitches. If it catches, ease the stitches along the ring one at a time instead of yanking hard on the tail.
Check the center before stuffing
For a small amigurumi head or body, a tight center keeps stuffing from peeking through later. Give the tail one final, steady pull, then weave it through the wrong side of several stitches to help secure it. The useful habit is simple: make the ring movable first, and tighten it only after the stitches are in place.